Town Introduces Water Use Restrictions in Response to Significant Drought

Source: amheretma.gov

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has declared the Connecticut River Valley to be in a Level 2 Significant Drought. Precipitation in April was below normal in the Connecticut River Valley, worsening drought conditions that have built up over the past two years.  The Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force will meet again in June to reassess conditions.  

The Town of Amherst’s water supply remains stable and is not currently threatened by the drought situation. However, in accordance with the town’s Water Management Act Registration, the Town of Amherst is implementing the following water use restrictions: 

• All nonessential outdoor water uses are banned. 
• Exception: watering of ornamental and flower gardens with drip irrigation, handheld hose, or water cans. 

Essential Uses of Water

• Health and safety reasons, including public facilities used for cooling such as the splash pad and swimming pools.
• Production of food, including privately-owned home vegetable gardens.
• Maintenance of livestock.
• Core function of a business, limited to plant nurseries, golf courses, wedding venues and professional washing for construction purposes.
• Irrigation of public or interscholastic athletic fields, and public parks, with restrictions.
• Watering of publicly funded shade trees.

Nonessential Uses of Water

• Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems.
• Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety.
• Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement, or concrete.

Enforcement
Water Department staff will be patrolling Amherst for violations of the nonessential outdoor water use restrictions. Violators will be given the following notices:

• First notice – Property visit from staff to discuss the restrictions, if not home a hand/door tag with information on the restrictions will be left for the property owner
• Second notice/First offense – $50 fine
• Subsequent notices/offenses – $100 fine

More Information 
As always, the town encourages residents to practice water conservation methods, including minimizing overall water use, taking shorter showers, running dishwashers and washing machines only on full loads, addressing leaks as soon as possible, and thinking carefully about what you plant. View more water conservation tips or the Massachusetts Water Conservation Toolkit.

This Level 2 Significant Drought declaration was made following a recommendation from the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force (DMTF), which is composed of officials from state departments, federal agencies, and relevant regional organizations. Several factors are considered when determining a drought including precipitation, groundwater levels, streamflow, lakes and impoundments, evapotranspiration, and fire potential. The declaration will remain in effect until water levels return to normal conditions. 

Helpful Resources

• Town of Amherst Water Supply Status
• Massachusetts Drought Status Map
• Massachusetts Water Conservation Toolkit
• MassDEP’s Water Management Act Program
• Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force (DMTF)
• Massachusetts Drought Management Plan
• Outdoor wateruserestrictions for cities and towns in Massachusetts